From Fire Volunteer to Career Firefighter: A 5-Step Guide

Volunteer firefighting is one of the most rewarding, most fun, and least financially viable professions. Most people don’t have unlimited income to spend, so most volunteer firefighters are stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to work their day job and also get in a few calls. They want to be able to serve their community as a firefighter, yet sometimes they may not be able to afford it.

We’ve compiled a 5-Step Guide to get you in the firehouse full-time, paid. We know you deserve it!

3. Get your CPAT card.

Almost all departments nowadays require a current CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) card. You need to be 18 years old, and show government issued ID at the time of the test.

Train for, and get your CPAT as early on as you can. Delays in passing the CPAT can result in not meeting the department’s application deadlines.

MOSTIMPORTANTLY: Talk to the department you want to join to find out specific requirements. All departments are different and you want to make sure you have the correct information.